India declares Pakistan a ‘Terrorist State’; Will USA do the same?

NEW DELHI: For the first time, India has unequivocally and officially called Pakistan a ‘Terrorist State’.

Just a day Prior to this, two American lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation in the US Congress aimed at designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism. While the legislation, HR 6069 or the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act, may not finally become see the light of the day, this turn of the event is extraordinary in the history of post Independence India (and Pakistan).

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The bill was moved by Congressman Ted Poe from Texas, who is the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California, both Republicans.

On Wednesday, India exercised its right of reply on the floor of the UNGA, to respond to what it called the ‘hypocritical sermons’ by Nawaz Sharif. “India sees in Pakistan a terrorist state that channelises billions of dollars, much of it diverted from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours.” said Eenam Gambhir, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Pointing out that the trail of the 9/11 attacks had led back to the military garrison town of Abbottabad in Pakistan, Gambhir said,

“The land of Taxila, one of the greatest learning centres of ancient times, is now host to the Ivy League of terrorism.”

She also pointed out the freedom and pen support that terrorists and their organizations enjoyed from Pakistan’s military-political establishment.

The brutal takedown of Pakistan is part of India’s diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan in the international arena, in the aftermath of the Uri attack that saw terrorists from Pakistan-based outfits attack a military camp in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has left no stones unturned to raise the Kashmir unrest at all international platforms. India now has a great opportunity to isolate Pakistan globally as Ms Gambir said “We cannot and will not allow terrorism to prevail.”